Synthesis, characterisation, and antimicrobial activity of ZnO-based nanocomposites

In this study, ZnO-based nanocomposites including ZnO/CuO (S-1), ZnO/MnO (S-2), and ZnO/MnO/CuO (S-3), were synthesised. S-1, S-2, and S-3 were characterised through Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) techniques. Also, the antimicrobial property of the samples was examined against both Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Escherichia coli through the colony forming count method. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of Zn-O, Mn-O, and Cu-O in the samples. The crystalline structure of the sample was analysed by XRD. The surface morphology of the prepared compounds was studied with SEM images. EDS technique was employed for ensuring the presence of Zn, Mn, and Cu elements in the samples. The results clearly showed S-1, S-2, and S-3 had high-antimicrobial activity especially for S-3.